Our Last SEEKERS 601 meeting of the Year is this Wednesday. Join us!
We are coming to the end of another Church year. Next Sunday is Christ the King and then we enter into Advent. Today the readings direct our attention to the end of time. There is something dark and threatening about the Gospel reading today, but through it, we see that death is not the final word. We are promised that if we are faithful, we shall not be destroyed. In the first reading today, we are promised that our patron, the Archangel Michael will be there helping us. We are told that the one great sacrifice for sins has been made and we must cling to the Lord. For as I say so often in my homilies, “God will always have the last word and it will be a word of life and a word of love.”
The images in today’s readings are somewhat foreign to us and the Monday Gospel Reflection Group thought it might be good to give an explanation. Both the Book of Daniel and this last chapter of Mark’s Gospel are known as Apocalyptic Literature. This is a very strange type of literature that is written for people who are living through tough times. The purpose of these passages is not to threaten the people more, but to offer hope drawing their attention to the action of God even beyond the present hard times. Apocalyptic literature would always talk about 'new heaven and new earth' and the triumph of good over evil. It is so important not to lose this point.
Many people may believe that the world is becoming worse day by day. Some people think that humanity has lost its direction. And often this image is built up by the media because much of what we hear and see in newscasts is negative. This can contribute to a sense of despair. But as a Catholic people we are called to be people of faith and hope. We do not wait for the last days with fear and trembling, but we wait with eager longing. We wait with hope.
November 14, 2021 | Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time by The Faithful Disciple Dn 12:1-3 | Heb 10:11-14, 18 | Mk 13:24-32 GROW: My husband reads the obituaries regularly, as did my elderly Aunt Loretta. Me, I avoid them. I don’t like to think about death, and the same can be said for some references to the end times, particularly those like we hear in the Book of Daniel: “Some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.” Give me a comforting psalm any day! However, in today’s Gospel, Jesus assures us that we who believe need not fear the Second Coming, for at that time the Son of Man shall “gather his elect.” Yes, “heaven and earth will pass away,” but the words of Jesus never shall. It is true, we don’t know the time or the hour of his return and so we prepare for it by remaining focused on Jesus’ words and turning our lives over to him in and through the sacramental life of the Church. Strive to live well on earth, following the path to eternal life that our loving and merciful Savior has paved for us. GO: It’s easy to become complacent in that striving. I notice that tendency in everyday life – taking my spouse for granted, not being mindful of how what I say and do serves as an example (either good or bad!) for another. It’s like moving through the day with blinders on. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is teaching his disciples about his return in glory, and how those who follow him will be able to sense its approach. “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.” In other words, “pay attention; be observant” – the opposite of complacency. To counter this within ourselves, we can ask God to open our eyes to the signs of his love all around us – our spouses and dear friends, our families, and all the gifts we have been given. Just as importantly, we can accompany one another as we seek to grow in holiness and prepare for the day we meet Jesus, living as an example in word and deed. As the Book of Daniel so eloquently tells us, “The wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.” PRAY: Read the obituaries! Many of them contain inspiring examples of lives well lived. Take a moment in this month of November to pray for all who have died. Make a conscious effort to be a specific example to another of Christ’s love in the world that they, too, might be better prepared for Christ’s return.